Action plan sets creative pace for Wisconsin

Lawton and Burmaster unveil recommendations from Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education

Investment in the artistic and creative energy of Wisconsin students throughout their education is the over-arching recommendation of the Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education final report and action plan unveiled Friday.

The 36-member task force, appointed in March 2008 by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, was charged with examining state-level policies and local practices to determine their impact on the scope and access to quality arts education opportunities in Wisconsin. To develop its recommendations for strengthening arts and creativity education in Wisconsin, the task force conducted nine public forums and reviewed the status of arts education in Wisconsin and research done by experts in the field.

"The arts have a potent effect on student achievement and engagement in school," Burmaster said. "Despite clear research that shows how vital the arts and creativity are for all students, access to the full range of the arts is continuing to decline in Wisconsin. Revitalizing our arts education programs and infusing creativity throughout the curriculum is critical for our students' success."

"Every child has tremendous creative capacity; it is our responsibility to develop and harvest it," Lawton said. "Wisconsin's competitive edge in this global economy will be a workforce well-prepared to think boldly and work innovatively, with that risk-taking confidence of an entrepreneur."

A common definition of creativity, which describes the creative process as a combination of imagination, creativity, and innovation to produce something unique that has value and meaning, provides the foundation of the task force recommendations. The group's plan for action addresses four areas. The first three, Legislative and State Policy, Creativity in the Classroom, and Community Involvement, focus on strengthening arts education in Wisconsin schools. The fourth, Business and the Creative Economy, focuses on engaging the business community--especially those on the leading edge of the creative economy--to propel business growth and economic development and to help strengthen arts and creativity programs for students.

Additional information is available in the complete news release. The final report for the Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education is available on the task force website.

Last updated on 1/9/2009 8:24:27 AM